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We both chuckle at that before Liam starts the tour. “Living room,” he says gesturing to the small space with only a couch, coffee table, and television.
“Big movie fan, huh?” I ask nodding to the movie posters hanging on the walls.
“A bit. You seen any of them?”
I scan the walls and land on the one for 2001: A Space Odyssey with the baby in a bubble floating among the stars. “Yeah. Not my favorite,” I say pointing to it.
Liam winces. “Damn. 2001 is my favorite Kubrick film.”
“No accounting for taste,” I tease hoping he has a good sense of humor.
Liam chuckles and props his butt on the back of the sofa. “Alright then. What kind of movies do you like?”
“Anything that makes me laugh. Or swoon.”
“Romcoms,” Liam says.
“Yeah. Pretty cliché but true.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I love romcoms. When Harry Met Sally. French Kiss. Annie Hall.”
“10 Things I Hate About You?” I add.
“Fuck, yeah,” Liam says and his enthusiasm sends a shock down my spine.
This man watches romcoms and likes them. There’s something about finding that common ground about something a lot of guys would feel had emasculated them for admitting that makes me feel like I hit the boyfriend material jackpot.
“Dining room,” Liam says gesturing as he pushes off the back of the couch to continue the tour. “The kitchen is around the corner there.” He moves his hand to show me the door to my right, then waves for me to follow him.
At the back of the house, there’s a little nook. He opens the door on the right. “Bathroom and laundry,” he says, showing me the blue and white tiled room with the washer and dryer set into one of the walls. Then he opens the door to the left. “Bedroom,” he says and my heart flutters against my ribs.
“Only one?” I ask.
“Don’t worry,” he says. “I’ll take the couch.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask you to give up your room.”
“It won’t be for long. Just until you can find someplace else.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes. “Liam. The debt I’m in… It’s going to be a long time before I can afford someplace better than where I’m at. Especially if I quit stripping.”
“If?” Liam asks and I swear I see fire in his eyes. A fire that threatens to burn the city to the ground. And I can’t help thinking that’s exactly what he’ll do if I go back to work at the Cinnamon Mink. For the Tarnished Kings. But I don’t see any other option. Nothing will pay as good as being a Polecat at the Mink.
“My sister will talk to Seth. They’ll work it out and he’ll make sure I’m taken care of.” A small step closes the distance between us and I lay a hand on Liam’s firm chest under his black, security T-shirt. “You’re sweet, Liam. I appreciate the hell out of you caring about my safety and letting me crash with you tonight. But I can’t take advantage of that. I already have enough debts to repay.”
“You never owe me anything.” Liam whispers, his voice deep and gravely as he cups my cheek in his big hand. His fingertips play in my hair. “It’s a favor.”
“You do favors like this for family. Close friends. You don’t even know me.”
“I’d like to.” A playful smile curls one side of his mouth. And damn if I don’t want to kiss him again.
“Well, then,” I say, stepping back. Liam’s hand falls in slow motion from my face. “What better way to get to know each other than over a cup of coffee. The one you promised?”
As much as I don’t want the handout, I don’t much care to go back to my awful apartment. Maybe it’s selfish but I’d like to change his mind about sleeping alone tonight.
“On it,” Liam says, giving me a wink.
“Do you mind if I wash the strip club off?” I ask as he heads toward the kitchen.
